REFLECTIONS TODAY When they return from their mission, the seventy-two disciples can report to Jesus, “Mission accomplished.” They are happy to share that they were given hospitality in villages where they healed the sick with the power given them by Jesus. And probably to their great surprise,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The reproaches of Jesus to unrepentant towns follow the sending of the 72 disciples. They will repay “peaceful” people who will receive them with the healing of the sick in their village. But for others who will not receive them, a severe judgment awaits (Lk 10:6-11). A...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Seventy is a symbolic number, representing the sum or fullness of entities. In Genesis 10, the so-called “table of nations” lists 70 nations of the world, and Abraham emerges from these nations as the head of a new people of God’s choosing (Gn 12). Abraham, in turn, through...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the call of the first disciples, it is Jesus who takes the initiatives. This is true of the four fishermen—Simon, Andrew, James, and John—and of the tax collector Levi (Matthew). Jesus will later say, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There had always been “bad blood” between the Samaritans and the Jews, fed by misunderstanding, mistrust, opprobrium, and violence. In 722 BC, when Sargon of Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and Samaria, its capital, he settled outsiders in the land. These...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel reading is part of Jesus’ Community Discourse (Matthew 18), a collection of Jesus’ sayings for the guidance of the believers in their life in common. And at the core of this teaching “for adults” is to become like little children. The disposition that Jesus asks...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, 28“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus predicts, for the second time, his being handed over to men, the first time being right after Peter’s confession (Lk 9:22). The apostles simply cannot understand why their Master should suffer such a shameful fate. Jesus has just been transfigured. Some of them have seen...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus makes this unusual compliment to Nathanael upon seeing him for the first time. No one has ever made a comment like this. How did Jesus know him? Jesus does not take offense at Nathanael’s question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46), when Philip reports...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Herod, the tetrarch, shows interest in Jesus upon hearing from his constituents about his wonderful works. He himself wants to witness a sample of what he may consider a trick. Herod does not have the right motivation. It is only to satisfy his curiosity or his desire to be...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus calls the Twelve (apostles) and gives them power to exorcise demons and to heal the sick. As he sends them, Jesus asks them to travel light. They should not bring anything extra or superfluous. They are not there to impress people with non-essential things. Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Like the Gospel yesterday, our passage today must be understood in the context of Jesus’ teaching on the importance of listening to the Word of God. Jesus has just finished teaching about the parables of the Sower and of the Lamp, and his mother as well as his brothers...
